If there is any advice you take away from this small article, please let it be not to skimp on important things in life! This may be your only opportunity to get free stuff of your choosing, so choose things that will last forever. There are of course some things that really aren’t super important, so pick and choose where you want to devote a lot of money and where you can skimp. Look below for the items you should consider placing on your registry, categorized by where you would place them in your house.
Kitchen Supplies
- Mixer
- Sharp Knives
- Food Processor
- Cooking Utensils
- Blender
- Pots and Pans
- Mixing Bowls
- Measuring Containers
- Dutch Oven
- Crock Pot
Whether you love to bake or not you need to invest in a great mixer. The brand does not necessarily matter; it could be a Cuisinart or a Kitchenaid, but select something durable and long-lasting! You will never regret having a mixer! Second on the list is sharp knives. These kitchen tolls have got to be of high quality. Knives get dull easily and are usually not worth professional sharpening.
A food processor, cooking utensils, mixing bowls, and measuring cups and spoons are really up to personal preference. This is an area that isn’t too big of a deal, but it is nice to have something quality. Blenders probably fall into the same category, unless you are a smoothie making fiend. In which case, get a Vitamix or a Ninja. While pots and pans don’t need to be professional quality, get more than a generic brand. You want them to last past your fifth anniversary. Dutch ovens and crock pots are in the same category. You may not want both, but certainly pick one. They will come in handy down the road!
Dining Room
- Dishes
- Glasses
- Utensils
Picking out dishes that both you and your betrothed agree on is a little pre-marriage counseling all on its own. Perhaps you are perfectly in agreement and love the exact same thing and this doesn’t end up being an issue for you. Good for you! For the rest of you, if you can’t find something you love at the store you first register at, go to another store. Otherwise, you’ll be buying new dishes for your 3rd Christmas together. Pottery Barn or Crate and Barrel have excellent dishes that are quality and durable. They will also advise you about each different type of plate and material to tell you which will stand up to longer use and repeated washes in the dishwasher.
Do yourself a favor when registering for glasses by registering for one extra set than you think you’ll need. Eventually when you break the first full set, you will be thankful for the extra! Utensils may be one of the most important parts of the dining section of your registry. Silverware is measured by the types of metal they are made out of. If the percentage of nickel and chromium are off, they will rust after the first two years in the dishwasher or even after being hand washed. Look for 18/10 grade in order to prolong the life of your utensils.
Bedroom
- Comforter/Duvet/Quilt
- Sheets
- Pillows
Your bedroom will be a place to relax and enjoy each other, so make sure to pick colors and materials that will encourage both of these things! For the bed covering, there are so many different options between comforters, duvet covers, and quilts. You want to pick one that reflects your personal style and the atmosphere of your room. This is the fun part, because then you can design the look of your entire room based off the colors in the covering! Whichever bed covering you choose, think about how it needs to be cleaned. Sweat will stain over time and it will turn a white background into a yellow one, so choose wisely!
Another item not to skimp on is the sheets. You want them to be soft so the material alone could lull you to sleep each night. Pick a high thread count and a fabric that you will enjoy sleeping on for years! And be sure to test several pillows in the store to get a good feel for their level of firmness and comfort level.
Bathroom
- Towels
- Bath mat
- Shower Curtain
- Toiletry holders
Once you decide on the color of the shower curtain, it is easy to decide on towels. They should be somewhat color coordinated, but most of all, fluffy and soft. They won’t stay in that condition forever, so start with the most comfortable towels you can find to prolong the way they feel on your body. There are many different sizes of towels. You will need washcloths, hand towels, and bath towels. You may also run into bath towels called bath sheets, which are humongous! To complete your bathroom, you should register for a soap dispenser as well as a toothbrush holder and maybe even a toilet paper holder.
This list is by no means completely comprehensive, but it does cover the major items needed to start your registry. You may want to add little things like rugs and curtains depending on what your home has or doesn’t have. This list will help you cover the major things that should be on your registry and give you some guidance when deciding on which items to splurge and on which to save. Happy registering!